Where EOD explores some of the warmer notes of IDM, the D’arcangelo boys have gone down the route of experimental machine sounds. Nevertheless, both have utilized elements of the insurmountable TB303 in their tracks.
030303 is a Utrecht based imprint. Despite its seriously acidic title, 030303 is not a label harking back to the day of banging techno with a squalid TB303 line. Instead, the label looks at the corridors and avenues the influential sound of the 303 created and its place in modern electronics. The latest duo of releases by EOD and D’Arcangelo show two artists using the machine sounds that built the contemporary to create the contemporary.
Following a double LP of acid inspired pieces by the likes of Ceephax, JTC and Luke Vibert, 030303 are looking to some Scandinavian talent. EOD is based in Trondheim, Norway. This latest 12”, Utrecht, see’s EOD’s third vinyl EP. The record opens with the title piece, “Utrecht” (audio stream below). The track is a lush piece of downtempo electronics. Techno is gently folded into the track, with the subtlest of subtle 303 lines squelching in the friendly belly of this warm beast. “Phontron (030303 mix)” follows in similar form. Think early Rephlex or Nature Records, deeply analogue sounds with a stir of electro. The tracks are reminiscent of The Railway Raver, but with less acid notes and more of a nod to electronics. The tempo is raised on the b-side with “Flab” and the listener is in the world of UK techno of the early 2000s. “Came Went” is the purest electronica piece of the record. Organ chords shudder and gasp as EOD produces a sublime work of depth and grace. There is even something of an element of an electronic centric Mike Dred about these tracks with a hint of Der Zyklus thrown in, especially in the ultimate piece “On a Herald Go.” Warm autumnal chords thaw the winter chill and rounds of the EP nicely. [Listen or purchase Utrecht]
Up next for the Dutch label is an old favourite, D’arcangelo. I remember as a kid buying Shipwreck from a long gone record shop in Dublin. Since their days of dense analogue sounds the D’arcangelo brothers have been flirting with the digital age. Hardware broached into software as electro changed into electronica. This latest 12”, Cradle and Go!, is the first release from the boys since 2006. The siblings add a cold streak to the proceedings with the eerie and acidic “Walking Largo.” There’s a touch of early Squarepusher to this latest outing by the Italians, “Mad Carillon” could easily sit on Feed Me Weird Things. “A RIB OF IZ” is a modern of acid under the guise of electronica, proper knob twiddling action with a split glitchy beat. The flip opens with more blip beat action, with warmer notes stalking the backdrop of “Decal Argo.” The track weaves and ducks as it develops, not happily sitting in any genre slot. Aggressive feedback gives rise to “Beta 9,” (audio stream below) a fast paced jolting work that wouldn’t be afraid to hit ya after a night out. “Etes” Brings Cradle and Go! to a close. A complex Aphex Twin style piece of modern acid. In many ways the EP has an Analord feel to it, but with much more of a computer sentiment. In a cacophony of bleeps and digested snare D’arcangelo end their four year hiatus. [Listen or purchase Cradle and Go!]
030303 is a label that it not merely promoting modern acid, it is promoting modern electronics. EOD’s EP is in stark contrast to that of D’arcangelo. Where EOD explores some of the warmer notes of IDM, the D’arcangelo boys have gone down the route of experimental machine sounds. Nevertheless, both have utilized elements of the insurmountable TB303 in their tracks. 030303 Records is not just about the legendary machine, it is about the promotion, and releasing, of good contemporary electronic music. Sounds like the remit of any record label really, but 030303 are achieving it in a number of genres. EOD, warm lush electronics, D’arcangelo, distant and beautiful innovation, and before them electro, techno, house and straight up acid. That’s all after three releases. Not a bad one to boast for this fledgling collective of 303 enthusiasts.
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